5.41 Elements of Claim: Constructive Discharge refers to a situation in which an employee is forced to resign due to the intolerable working conditions imposed by the employer. This type of discharge is considered a form of wrongful termination since it occurs without the employee's consent. The key elements of a constructive discharge claim include: 1. Intolerable Working Conditions: The employee must be able to prove that the employer created a work environment that was so difficult or unpleasant that a reasonable person would have felt compelled to resign. Examples of intolerable working conditions include sexual harassment, discrimination, a hostile work environment, or unfair and unreasonable changes to job duties. 2. Knowledge of Intolerable Conditions: The employee must prove that the employer was aware of the intolerable working conditions and had an opportunity to remedy the situation but failed to do so. 3. Resignation: The employee must demonstrate that they felt compelled to resign as a result of the intolerable working conditions. Types of Constructive Discharge claims include: 1. Discrimination: Constructive discharge claims based on discrimination allege that the intolerable working conditions were caused by the employer’s illegal discrimination against the employee. 2. Retaliation: Constructive discharge claims based on retaliation allege that the intolerable working conditions were caused by the employer’s illegal retaliation against the employee. 3. Contractual Breach: Constructive discharge claims based on contractual breach allege that the employer breached the terms of the employee’s contract, creating an intolerable working environment.